Topic : 06/13 Teacher Sex Scandal, Part 2

Do you all know what it feels like to be "shut down" this is a term I learned in therapy. The teacher has had to protect her stress level, her family, her career. People shut down and don't show flagrant emotions when they are under incredible stress. Being shut down is a defense mechanism some of us learn in order to cope. So, when Dr. Phil went at the teacher a couple of times about not being outraged, I thought - Hey why would she show all that outrage, it has been years of this tiring stress, she is probably just worn out about it!!! So, give her a break you all!  Yeesh.

I'm a bit surprised that Dr. Phil was so shocked at the teacher's demeanor and the fact that she didn't want to sit on the stage with that boy.  I wouldn't either.  If it is so cathartic to "face your accuser", why do so many rape victims and assault victims try to get out of testifying in court? 

As to her "just the facts, Phil" demeanor, a he-said-she-said exchange is a waste of time.  She has already had to give depositions, discuss all of this with her family, friends, school administrators, etc.   I doubt I would break down into a sobbing mess either.  I frankly liked her facts and it underscores to me that the boy is lying. "The car was blue"  "I didn't own a blue car" is just pretty powerful to me.  Long kiss, short kiss (didn't he mention tongue??) - big difference. 

Sorry, LIAR. 

 I am a long time watcher of the show ever since Oprah. I am referring to the teacher who was on.   I cannot believe that when the courts, lawyers, juries, etc (our entire Judicial System) has made the determination that this teacher is innocent of all charges; Phil McGraw decides that he is the only answer.  Hence, having a full blown inquiry on HIS show of this already solved situation.  We weren't  there either.  We got a glimpse. He completely  embarrassed the Lie Detector officers, especially Jack who I think is one of the best in his field; putting even further doubt on our courts and juries to be able to make a decision.  I believe in our Judicial System and I do not think that there is any thing wrong with it.  When a decision is made by them, right or wrong, we as Americans must agree. 

I find it impossible to believe Matt can't recall the exact details of what supposedly occurred six years ago.  If he had felt violated, the events would have been seared into his brain; if he viewed it as an exciting encounter with a forbidden partner, the events would have been seared into his brain.  Yet he vascillates on the simple details.

Additionally, in one breath he claims he was going to take this momentous event "to his grave."  Then we find out he told several friends, wrote a poem about it, subsequently read that same poem out loud to a classroom full of people, and (although he didn't physically copy the poem) allowed the poem to be distributed to others.  Not exactly "taking it to his grave."

The teacher is in a no win situation.  By holding her temper and staying controlled, she is accused of not being emotional enough.  If she lets loose with a torrent of anger, she would be accused of being unstable.  Either response elicits suspician.  As for taking notes and concentrating on inconsistancies, that's how you prove someone is lying.  It is a logical way to fight what appears to be an illogical situation.

I do find the notes the teacher passed to the student troubling.  Her explanation of their meaning is unlikely, and the fact that she wrote them at all implies a more relaxed relationship than she should have with any student...but is certainly not proof she had physical contact with them.

Dr. Phil is also in a difficult position.  He can't press either side too hard, as it's unclear which side is the victim...making it almost impossible to ask the questions necessary to clear up some of the confusion.  I don't envy his job.

Las night I was watching the show, and Matt just remind me when I was a kid. I'm not old and It's not realy far from that age I was. When I was a kid I used to lie and I enjoyed. I lied and I belived in my liessssssssssss. I could make something easily, I Totally belived in, from my heart and I could transfer it to somebody else and make them belive it.

Those kids had a good and very kind teacher who was trying to make a good and close friendship with her students. They took advantage of it and as a boy and teen they loved to be an adult and have a experience with an adult, who was better than their teacher ?!!! who is soooooooooooo close to them !!! they made their story and becuase their feeling was so strong and thy believed it, they pass the lie detector. I promise you that they were dreaming about it everynighttttttttttttttttt.

Now, They are an adult and they can recognize between right or lie so their brain is compeletly aware about what they are doing now so they both didn't pass the lie detector exam.

Also, they don't want to take back this, becuase in their small town they were enjoying being a poor little boy" who was a victim or hero ! she hasn't give up, and they don't want to leave their stage where they are really enjoy of being the hero of the small town!!!

God bless you Doctor Phil, help her to back to her life.

I agree totally! I was not sold on the stories both of these young men told to Dr. Phil. Matt was caught in several lies on the show and was acting extremely nervous. And what about the 3rd boy who recanted his story? This whole situation is nothing but a scam! Something tells me that these boys may have been vying for her attention and she refused to fall victim to it. (The typical teenage boy fantasy is to get with their teacher!) As a result, they decided to create a scandal to get her teacher fired which ultimately cost her her profession and reputation! Those are two things that will be very difficult for her to get back. These educators need to open their eyes and see what they are really dealing with! JUst like the school shootings - we now have copycats in the teacher sex scandals! I'm sure this won't be the last time a student accuses a teacher of doing something they didn't do because the student is upset with them!

Because this is not the typical teacher sex scandal that we have been hearing so much about the last several years, we still need to have a better system in place BEFORE a teacher is hired for additional prevention. In Ohio, the school system as well as parents now have the ability to check the backgrounds of all teachers they plan to hire and/or for ongoing monitoring. In addition, teachers should go for psychological testing for further assurance that they will teach our children and not get involved with them inappropriately as well as other inappropriate behaviors.